Dubois, Wyoming
Bitterroot Ranch
About the ranch
Owned and run for 40 years by the Fox Family who also started Equitours International Riding Vacations, Bitterroot Ranch is the place for those who are serious about riding. Whether taking lessons in the arena or out on the trail we place an emphasis on improving riding skills. The top quality horse program includes breeding and training and there are mounts suitable for all levels of riders. Rides are kept small and are separated according to ability. Tack is carefully fitted to both horse and rider and, for those who prefer, there are English and endurance saddles available.
The Bitterroot is situated in a remote mountain valley which offers an incredible variety of terrain; sagebrush plains and rocky gorges give way to pine clad forests and Alpine meadows. We are surrounded by public lands and can ride for miles in any direction without seeing another soul. In the spring the elk are calving on the adjacent Game and Fish land. Our proximity to the Shoshone National Forest enables us to leave on scenic overnight pack trips into the largest wild ecosystem in the lower 48 right from the ranch.
This is also a working ranch and our cattle herd grazes on our allotment in the forest for the summer. Guests do all the cattle work – there is no ranch crew! This entails moving cows around on the allotment, checking for wolf and grizzly kills and an annual cattle drive and roundup. For those with non-riding partners there are wonderful trout fishing opportunities. A private stream runs through the ranch and there are numerous other rivers and lakes a short drive away.
There is always an interesting mix of guests at the ranch, which leads to lively conversations at meal times and the cocktail hour. Your hosts come from eclectic backgrounds: Bayard had a first career with the CIA, Mel is from a British colonial background in East Africa and Richard (who grew up on the ranch) met Hadley while guiding her on a riding safari in Kenya.
Ranch type
Also offers
Guest capacity
30
Best for
People of all ages
Months open
May-Sep
History & hosts
There are artifacts, sheep traps and other signs of habitation left by Sheepeater Indians and others who inhabited this valley until the mid 19th century.
The first white men settled here in 1900. It was hard to make a living in this harsh environment at 7,500 ft., but they began irrigating the fields and raising livestock over a century ago. The central part of the lodge, several cabins and the barn were built in the 1930s.
Extensions were added in the ‘50s and ’90s. Some of the cabins have been relocated to the ranch and all are in keeping with an old world, understated feel. Bayard purchased the place in 1971 with the intention of creating a dude ranch.
Ranch founded
1971
Guest ranch since
1971
Owners
Bayard, Mel, Richard and Hadley Fox
About the owners
A cousin of Bayard’s owned the old White Grass Ranch and he learned to love dude ranching at an early age. After retiring from the CIA he scouted out locations and found the perfect spot in this peaceful valley. The sagebrush slopes were covered with a profusion of pink bitterroot flowers when he arrived in June, hence the name. Mel grew up on a cattle and dairy farm at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. When the farm was expropriated, the family moved to Kenya and Mel worked for 5 years in famed Tsavo National Park. Always keen on riding, Mel has fox hunted in England and Ireland and was the original inspiration for Equitours International Riding Vacations. Richard grew up on the ranch, but spent many months in the winter with his grandparents in Kenya. He is in charge of the cattle operation. Hadley is originally from North Carolina, attended Yale and was on her way to Harvard Medical School before meeting Richard on a riding safari in Kenya and moving to the ranch, where she supervises training young horses and all the riding lessons.
Managers
Hadley Fox
About the managers
Hadley Fox was born and raised with horses in North Carolina and came to Wyoming in 2007 after meeting Richard Fox on a Kenyan safari. She has become an integral part of the family business and, in addition to leading rides and teaching lessons and yoga classes, she also handles bookings for the ranch.
Staff qualities
Accommodation types
Ranch rustic
Gene Kilgore's notes
When to go
Late May and June are the times to see game animals such as bear and calving elk. Late June and July are when the hillsides are covered with wildflowers. August has settled weather and is never too hot at 7,500 ft. In September the aspen turn a glorious gold, there is a crispness in the air and occasional snow flurries.
Why we love it
- Serious riding and horsemanship program, offering Centered Riding, TTEAM and Natural Horsemanship clinics
- Diverse riding activities include team sorting and a cross-country jumping course. Opportunities to trot and canter through the changing landscapes
- An interesting mix of guests at the ranch, which leads to lively conversations. Your hosts come from eclectic backgrounds: Bayard had a first career with the CIA, Mel is from a British colonial background in East Africa and Richard (who grew up on the ranch) met Hadley while guiding her on a riding safari in Kenya!
- Not to be overlooked, their cuisine features home-grown beef, lamb and fresh salads from the garden
What to consider
- There are few additional activities other than riding, fishing and relaxing. It's quite remote and hard to reach, but offers absolutely gorgeous riding scenery and terrain
- Bayard and Mel are very direct in their teachings on how best to ride their horses, but you'll come away with more confidence and insight
